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Chapter 68: 008: Unknown Alchemy Sphere
Lynch looked at the metal sphere on the stall.
This kind of metal sphere actually has a specific name — Alchemy Sphere. It is the final form of an Alchemy Creation, designed by Wizards specializing in alchemy disciplines. From the very beginning of its creation, precise mechanical structures enable the Alchemy Creation to alter its form, eventually condensing into a sphere of this size.
The purpose of this design is firstly for convenient storage, and secondly because ’circle’ is the spiritual totem of alchemy. Alchemy emphasizes that all things in the universe form a circle, and the original shape of everything in the world is circular.
Therefore, the final product of small-scale Alchemy Creations can morph into a sphere via mechanical structures, while larger ones are incorporated into space magic models to be stored as spheres of the same size.
So, upon seeing an Alchemy Sphere, it essentially confirms that it’s an Alchemy Creation.
Lynch picked up this sphere from the stall and examined it. Sure enough, the surface of the sphere was engraved with that mysterious, twisted script.
The Tower’s rules regarding knowledge are extremely strict. Over the past three years, Lynch had visited the library countless times but had never once gained access to Wizard-level materials. As a result, he still couldn’t decipher this script.
After confirming the script, Lynch immediately asked the stall owner, "What is this?"
The stall owner was a young apprentice in his twenties, likely new to the business. Hearing Lynch’s question, he instantly put on a mysterious demeanor and said, "This is a treasure I discovered in some ruins — a genuine antique from the Acadica Era."
No buildup, completely contrived performance. He might as well have written "I am a fraud" on his face.
"Really?"
Lynch continued, "I don’t see anything that ties this to Acadica."
"That’s because you don’t recognize its worth." The young stall owner immediately pointed to the mysterious script on the Alchemy Sphere and declared, "Look here, these patterns are exclusive to the Acadica Era!"
Lynch asked, "What are these symbols? Are they letters? What do they mean?"
The stall owner replied, "I’m not entirely sure about that. But I’m certain it’s definitely an Alchemy Creation from the Acadica Era, likely tied to one of its Alchemy Wizard organizations."
Lynch displayed an expression of mild interest: "How much?"
The stall owner said, "Initially, I intended to sell it for twenty thousand Magic Stones, but since you seem to have a connection with it, I’ll let it go for ten thousand... Hey! Don’t walk away!"
Lynch turned and walked off.
There’s no doubt that items from the Acadica Era do hold some value, but not every piece is worth tens of thousands of Magic Stones. Especially when it’s something like this — an unclear Alchemy Creation with unknown function. Selling it at such a high price is purely a scam targeting fools.
The stall owner hurriedly called after him, "Hey, business is all about negotiation, right? You should at least haggle!"
Lynch turned back and said, "20."
The stall contained an assortment of miscellaneous items, all of negligible value — broken copper and worn-out trinkets. Coupled with the stall owner’s status as a Low-level Apprentice, most of these items were likely scavenged from some forgotten corner.
If he offered too high a price, it might arouse suspicion in the stall owner. But 20 Magic Stones was admittedly...
The stall owner’s face turned green.
He exclaimed, "Come on, this is something I risked my life for, braving treacherous ruins to retrieve! Those are genuine ruins!"
Lynch frowned slightly: "25."
The stall owner looked distraught: "For this little trinket, I lost three brothers who were as dear to me as family!"
Lynch replied, "30."
The stall owner thumped his chest and wailed dramatically, "Must I..."
Lynch turned and walked off again.
"Hey, don’t leave again... Fine, 35, 35 Magic Stones! Let’s say it’s fate..."
In the end, after paying 35 Magic Stones, Lynch successfully purchased the Alchemy Sphere from the stall owner. Although he knew this thing was indeed connected to ruins, holding it in his hand still left Lynch with a nagging sense of being scammed.
"Forget it, it’s just 35 Magic Stones at most — even if it turns out to be worthless, I can consider it an act of charity."
Comforting himself with this thought, Lynch tucked the Alchemy Sphere away.
After concluding the transaction, Lynch was ready to leave the market. However, at that moment, someone bumped into him.
Over the past three years, after enduring various trials and tribulations, Lynch’s physical strength had vastly improved — even a wild boar charging at full speed would struggle to move him. Yet, being struck now still caused him to stagger backward several steps, unsteady on his feet.
"Don’t block the way!" Before he could steady himself, a harsh voice rang out beside him.
Lynch turned to look and saw a man standing nearby.
This was a very peculiar-looking man, appearing to be in his thirties. He was extremely short, standing only about 1.3 or 1.4 meters tall, resembling a dwarf. Coupled with his stocky build, he looked like a short, fat wild pig.
These features were still within the realm of understanding, but his mouth was exceptionally bizarre — a massive mouth that occupied nearly two-thirds of his face, filled with two rows of sharp, densely packed teeth that made him look terrifying.
Lynch quickly stepped aside.
He sensed an oppressive spiritual aura radiating from the man. Though the man wasn’t wearing a badge, his strength undoubtedly surpassed that of a High-level Apprentice. Lynch reckoned it was wiser to avoid provoking someone he couldn’t defeat.
The man stopped in front of a nearby stall owner, and it seemed the two were acquainted as they began to converse. Lynch was about to leave, but the content of their conversation made him pause.
The stall owner addressed the short, stout man, "Barton, why are you here? I thought you’d retreated with your mentor back to that place."
Lynch froze: Barton?
He had heard this name before — it was mentioned in Richard’s diary as one of his senior apprentices.
Could it be someone with the same name?
Lynch squatted by a nearby stall, pretending to examine goods.
The short and stout man, Barton, replied, "The Land of No Light isn’t a place fit for long-term habitation. Occasionally, you need to come out for some fresh air and deal with a few things."
Land of No Light...
Lynch felt a chill in his heart. That place was widely known as a haven for Black Wizards. Anyone coming out of there was almost certainly a Black Wizard.
Just the fact that someone who might be a Black Wizard shares the same name doesn’t confirm it’s the same Barton. But when Lynch listened to the description of Barton’s appearance in Richard’s diary, it matched exactly.
Could it really be... this much of a coincidence?
Just as Lynch had this thought, Barton’s next words shattered any notion of coincidence and left him deeply shocked...
